Power lavatory flushing apparatus



United States Patent 3,019,453 POWER LAVATORY FLUSHING APPARATUS Floyd H. Radcliffe, 136 McMillan Drive, Longview, Wash. Filed Jan. 6, 1960, Ser. No. 721 1 Claim. (Cl. 4-249) This invention relates to a power lavatory flushing apparatus, and more particularly to a power means for actuating the flush valve of a lavatory.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an electric power actuator for the flush valve of a lavatory which is controlled by a foot pedal.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such an apparatus which may be employed with lavatories having no external flush tanks.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a power actuated apparatus which may be mounted in any convenient location adjacent the flushing handle for connection thereto.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character which is sturdy" and durable in construction, reliable and eflicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Still other parts will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of one form of apparatus embodying this invention shown as mounted on a pipe associated with a lavatory and connected to the manual flush valve thereof;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, partially diagrammatic, taken substantially through the center line of the control apparatus as disclosed in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a semi-diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit for actuating the device.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail, there is generally indicated at a portion of a lavatory, which includes a conventional upwardly projecting pipe 11 upon which is mounted a conventional valve housing 12 containing a valve which is adapted to be actuated by the usual flush handle 13.

The apparatus of the instant invention comprises a box or receptacle, generally indicated at 15, provided with a removable cover 16, and adapted to be mounted on the pipe 11 by means of an arcuate bracket 17 which is screwed as by screws 18 to the side of receptacle 15. The receptacle includes an electric motor 20, which is supplied with current from any suitable source through a wire 21. The motor 20 includes a drive shaft 22, which carries a gear 23, which drives through a conventional reduction gear chain, generally indicated at 24, a shaft 25. The shaft extends outwardly through the side of receptacle 15, and carries on its outer end a disc 26, which is pro vided with a cut-away portion 27, and an eccentrically mounted lug, or pin, 28. The pin 28 has looped thereover 3,019,453 Patented Feb. 6, 1962 "ice . 2 the reverted end 29 of an actuating rod 30, the other end of which is secured in an aperture 31 in a clip 32 which comprises a band adapted to encircle the flush handle 13, and is secured in position as by means of a clamping or set screw 33.

The surface of disc 26 normally engages a projection 35, when in operative position, in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter, projection 35 being carried by the leaf spring arm 36 of a switch contact 37. Contact 37 is adapted to engage a second contact 38 which is carried by an opposed arm 39. Arms 36 and 39 are mounted on an insulating block 40 which is screwed as by screws 41 to the outer side of receptacle 15.

The motor 20 is adapted to be energized by means of a suitable coil, generally indicated at 4-4, of conventional design, which is connected through a cable 43 to a foot pedal or button 42 which is located in any convenient position readily accessible to the user.

In the use and operation of the device, the disc 26 is so positioned that the cut-away portion 27 is adjacent projection 35 so that contacts 37 and 38 are normally separated. The handle is thus in the dotted line position of FIGURE 1, or in inoperative position. Pressure on the foot button 42 through coil 44 energizes the motor 20 which in turn through gear train 24 causes rotation of the disc 26 to a position wherein the cut-away portion moves away from the projection 35 so that the periphery of the disc engaging projection 35 closes the contacts 37 and 38. At the same time the eccentric pin 28 through rod 30 causes movement of the flush lever 13 to flush the lavatory.

As will be apparent from FIGURE 3, closure of contacts 37 and 38 maintains the motor 20 in operation even after pressure has been released from the foot pedal 42 until the disc 26 has made a complete rotation and cutaway portion 27 is again adjacent projection 35. At this time flush lever 13 is returned to the dotted line position of FIGURE 1, or inoperative position, and the circuit to the motor 20 is broken so that the motor remains inoperative until the foot pedal or button 42 is again subjected to pressure.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved power lavatory flushing apparatus which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

While there is herein shown and described a foot actuated switch for operating the device, it is to be understood that other means, such as an electric push button, or apparatus electronically actuated through body induction, or a photo electric cell, or other suitable means of direct or indirect control may be alternatively employed.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may he made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

The combination with a lavatory flush valve having a hand actuable flush handle pivotally mounted for swinging movement of said handle about a horizontal axis, of a receptacle mounted adjacent said lavatory, an electric motor in said receptacle, a gear train in said receptacle driven by said motor, a shaft extending out of said receptacle driven by said gear train, a cam disc driven by said shaft, an offset pin on said disc, a rod connecting said pin with said flush handle, an electric switch adjacent said disc, said disc having a cut-away portion on its periphery, a projection on said switch adjacent the periphery of said disc which when seating in said cut-away portion permits said switch to move to open position, engagement of the periphery of said disc with said projection closing said switch to establish a circuit to said motor, and a second remotely positioned foot operated switch connected to said motor and parallel with said first mentioned switch for initial energization thereof to move said disc to close said first mentioned switch.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,284,715 Lacke Nov. 12, 1918 2,181,422 Gawan Nov. 28, 1939 2,635,691 Filliung Apr. 21, 1953 2,813,274 Lewis et a1. Nov. 19, 1957 

